Hypothyroidism & Nursing School?

Published

I recently found out I have hypothyroidism. I know this is really treatable and things could be much worse. I'm just a little nervous because I've been working so hard to get everything done to apply to start an ADN program in January. Do any of you have hypothyroidism? Has it affected your abilities in school/clinicals? The only symptoms I've really had are cold intolerance and dry skin; my memory fails occasionally but I'm still pretty good at memorizing things with repetition and I took 15 hours of courses over the summer with a 4.0 while working full time. I am just worried that for some reason I'll have trouble and need to withdraw, which would be the pits. I'm also worried because I have health insurance now through my work, but I plan on dropping down to part-time once I start school, which would mean I'd need to get health insurance from elsewhere... has anyone had problems w/hypothyroidism as a pre-existing condition?

I am not looking for any medical advice, just some support with how this relates specifically to nursing. Thanks!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
This might be a stupid question, but you mean after the ablation right? Not as a result of the levothyroxine?
Yes. I had hyperthyroidism for 7 years. Once my thyroid was ablated with radioactive iodine, I have been hypothyroid ever since and have the many of the signs and symptoms that go along with the condition.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked full time and went to nursing school full time and I have Hypothyroidism.

Believe it or not the rigorous schedule helped me with my condition because I finally had a schedule. I took my synthroid every morning (I used to sometimes miss it).

I finished school in May! You can do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infusion.

I have hypothyroidism and even some arthritis in my hands and it has never, ever been an issue. How could it be when it has no effect on my school or clinical work? I've been taking medication for 4 years. I put one pill in a small pill box every night before bed. I like to eat breakfast soon after waking up so I try to take the pill an hour before I wake up.... I know that doesn't make sense but I leave a glass of water at the bedside, take the pill and go back to sleep for an hour or so. This is what works for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.
Yes. I had hyperthyroidism for 7 years. Once my thyroid was ablated with radioactive iodine, I have been hypothyroid ever since and have the many of the signs and symptoms that go along with the condition.

Has the medication helped control your symptoms?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

That is a good idea JROregon, I was wondering what I'd do because I usually wake up pretty hungry! Thanks for the words of encouragement y'all!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Has the medication helped control your symptoms?
The medication is my lifeline. Without my thyroid hormone replacement, I would sleep for 16 hours per day, have a perpetual brain fog, gain weight rapidly and be unable to lose it, have my hair fall out, see my serum cholesterol levels slowly rise, develop puffiness all over, and basically have no motivation to do much of anything.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

Ok I know this thread is old but I've gotta ask y'all for some advice! I'm up to 100 mcg now, but my skin is still dry - specifically my hands. They have been getting so dry that they crack & bleed often. Long story short - what hand creams do y'all use?? I'm using neutrogena and it's great, but it's so thick that I can't put it on all the time. Any suggestions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I can, I take a bath with baby oil. I know some would find fault with this, but it really helps my skin. I do this once or twice a week. Otherwise, I used a good quality cream or lotion w/o alcohol.

I also do the Vaseline and white gloves/socks on the hands and feet overnight when I can.

I have no trouble controlling the dry skin issue... the dry hair is a problem though.

I just try to be consistent w/ my 100mcg Synthroid.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've had hypothyroidism for over a decade and even with treatment still have issues with symptoms from time to time. Not nearly as bad as they would be without medication though. (I've been holding stable at 125 mcg for years now.)

As for dry skin, I use aveeno intense relief for hands, which helps immensely. I also love skin so soft bath oil spray. Helps with moisture, but is light enough not to give me hives.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I have had a lot of problems. I went to the doctors years ago and they said my thyroid was low but it was borderline so I decided not to take any medication at the time because I felt fine. Now 5 years later I have no insurance and I am pretty sure somethings wrong. I am constantly fatigued, I've gained a ton weight without reall reason, I struggle concentrating when studying and the best way I can explain it is I feel like I'm half asleep sometimes. My list goes on and I think I notice the ifference a lot because of how much it's affected my school work. I would get the med's if I had teh script but I declined it back then and now I can't afford to go to the doctor's and get another blood test and prescription :( I willl say I am still successful in nursing school, I just struggle much more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Ok I know this thread is old but I've gotta ask y'all for some advice! I'm up to 100 mcg now, but my skin is still dry - specifically my hands. They have been getting so dry that they crack & bleed often. Long story short - what hand creams do y'all use?? I'm using neutrogena and it's great, but it's so thick that I can't put it on all the time. Any suggestions?

Gold Bond lotions and creams really work well for dry, cracking skin. Click on the link below to learn more about Gold Bond products.

http://www.goldbondultimate.com/healing-lotion.html

Unfortunately, the longer a person has hypothyroidism, the more likely (s)he will develop a syndrome that affects the hair, skin, nails, and teeth. More specifically, in the presence of this disease process, the hair, skin, nails, and teeth tend to become more brittle over time. Although synthetic thyroid hormone is my lifeline and is bioidentical to natural T4 (thyroxine), it still is not the same as the natural thyroxine that a person with a healthy thyroid produces.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

Thanks for the suggestions y'all! I was bumped up to a higher dosage and I'm doing much better now. Patho - my medication costs $4 a month. If you are really feeling like something's wrong, I'd go to a clinic in your area and figure out what's going on. That initial cost is nothing compared to the damage that can be done to your health!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion